Dancing With the StarsSeason 14 contestant Jaleel White has come under fire for allegations that he physically abused the mother of his 2-year-old daughter Samaya. Although the rumors surfaced two years ago (you can read TMZ’s account from 2010 here), his ex, Bridget Hardy, decided to give an interview with Star magazine in which she continues to accuse Jaleel.

"All I have to say is this: Her claims were not true when she first tried to sell this story a few years back and they're certainly not true now. But I have to ask, why is she trying to bring this up again? I find the timing very suspect. But Jaleel was never convicted for anything because the allegations are unfounded. He didn't do these things."

Jaleel also tells Wetpaint exclusively that “the timing is impeccable.”

“I love my daughter and I appreciate her mother for giving me the greatest gift of my life,” Jaleel says.

The timing of Bridget’s decision to dig up old dirt is suspect, considering Jaleel’s return to the spotlight as a frontrunner on DWTS this season. He and his pro partner Kym Johnson have lit up the ballroom with Jaleel’s surprising agility and skillful moves on the dance floor.

It’s unfortunate that any of the DWTS joy can be tainted with these off-camera personal frustrations, so we’ll keep focusing on the fancy footwork that continues to amaze us week after week.

Additional reporting by Beth Sobol.

Catch the next new episode of DWTS on Monday, April 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.